Scattering flowers, lighting clay lamps, drawing colourful rangoli on the floor, Parteek Mittal and Kanu Aggarwal are putting the final touches to their Diwali celebrations.
It is one of the biggest festivals in India, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
What makes it extra special for this family is being reunited with their toddler, Aarya, after more than two years.
"It was in 2019 when we left our son with my parents," Mr Mittal said.
"We used to live in South Australia. We were moving to Melbourne. Both of us were working full-time.
"We had a two-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. It was getting harder and harder for us to manage."
The couple requested their parents look after their grandson for a couple of months in India.
But then COVID-19 struck.
The Australian government would not allow "unaccompanied minors" to travel to Australia — tearing Aarya and his family apart.
"We were regretting our decision to leave him in India every day," Mr Mittal said.
In June 2021, after months of lobbying, the family was finally reunited after Mr Mittal's father was given an exemption to fly to Australia with his grandson.
"On the last day of the quarantine, we went to pick them up," he said.
Mr Mittal said that being away from their son had dampened every festival, including 2020's Diwali.
"We didn't celebrate much," he said.
"We were trying to be happy, but we couldn't because … the soul was missing from the body."
So this Diwali will be a celebration to remember for the family.
"The last couple of Diwalis, we just spent without Aarya, so it was pretty lonely," Ms Aggarwal said.
For Hindus, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom, Ayodhya, from an arduous 14-year exile that he undertook to keep his father's word.
During his time away, he also defeated Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka) king, Ravan.
Lord Ram — who is considered an embodiment of an ideal person — is revered for his sacrifice, compassion and ethics.
To celebrate his return and victory, people lit up their houses with diyas — clay lamps — a tradition that continues thousands of years later.
Some consider it the start of the Hindu new year.
Hindu monk and teacher Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati said that, at a philosophical level, Diwali — which is also known as Deepavali — symbolised the destruction of inner darkness with the light of knowledge.
"Deepavali means a row of light. It not only means we need to ignite the lamp in our heart but help others to do so in their heart," he said.
Gurpreet Verma is the vice-president of Sri Durga Temple at Rockbank in Melbourne's west.
Mr Verma said that, due to COVID-19, they had not been able to celebrate any of the Hindu festivals fully.
He said that watching the Delta strain wreak havoc on India, as well the cumulative effect of the lockdown in Melbourne, had impacted almost everyone.
"The mood was very sombre and sad," Mr Verma said.
"We pray for everyone who has been impacted.
Many mark Diwali by spring-cleaning the house, doing pooja — ritual prayer and — worshipping the goddess of wealth, Laxmi.
Other must-dos are playing with sparklers and exchanging mithai — traditional sweets — with neighbours and family.
That is why, for Melburnians, the easing of the lockdown has added to the joy, allowing families to celebrate together.
Despite living in the same city, Manpreet Kodipaka was unable to meet her brother due to the COVID-9 lockdown.
"My brother lives in Cranbourne and I couldn't see him," she said.
"Last Diwali, we didn't do much. We tried our best to be happy for the kids … but, inside, there was a void."
Ms Kodipaka lives with her husband, Badrinath, daughter, Diya, 8, and son, Abhiram, 3, in Melbourne's west, a COVID-9 hotspot.
But, she said, the easing of the lockdown had helped lift their spirits.
"This year, I am so looking forward [to Diwali]," Ms Kodipaka said.
She said that, in their home, celebrations started on the eve of Diwali.
"We put the lights up the day before. On Diwali, it's pure vegetarian [food] day," Ms Kodipaka said.
"Then before sunset … the first diya [clay lamp] we light at the Gurudwara Sahib [Sikh temple] before we do anything at home."
And, with a large Indian community in Melbourne's west, Ms Kodipaka said Diwali celebrations were almost on par with those at back home.
"At least, we will be able to meet and celebrate together."
However, for some, the reunions will have to wait a bit longer.
An only child, Richa Singh lost her father to cancer three years ago. She wants to bring her mother over.
Ms Singh said it was heartbreaking to have her mother on the wrong side of the border during the pandemic.
"I was devastated," she said, "because I am the only person looking after my mum."
In October, the Australian government recognised parents as "immediate family" for COVID-19 travel purposes.
"As soon as we found out that I can get her back again, I have just been telling her, 'Pack your bags'," Ms Singh said.
For Mr Mittal, this Diwali is a time to appreciate being together. And he is hoping other families are united too.
"Whatever the kids want to do, that's what we are going to do — sparklers, sweets — laugh, play games, spend time with them," he said.
